15 June 2011

MELICOPE ELLERYANA

Yesterday, when I was on my way back from lunch, the van made a bend and I saw a tree with pinkish flowers from the corner of my eye. So I made an effort to check out the tree.


Interestingly, it has a small open crown and the inflorescences are few. But the pink flowers do capture my attention. Known as Melicope elleryana (common name: Pink Flowered Doughwood, Pink Evodia; Family: Rutaceae), it has leaves that are arranged in threes.


My colleague also informed me this tree is the host plant of the very beautiful electric blue Ulysses Butterfly found in Australia. A link is found below:


http://www.yuruga.com.au/yuruga-info-sheets/attracting-butterflies/